Electromagnetic sound recording and reproducing machine



Oct. 18, 1932.

H. E. CHIPMAN ELECTROMAGNETIC SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR IZTTORNEY Oct. 18, 1932. H. E. CHIPMAN ELECTROMAGNETIC SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE Filed Oct. 10, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1932. 1,883,560

ELECTROMAGNETIC scum) RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE H. E. CHIPMAN Filed Oct. 10 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MN BQ m i. l

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. INVENTOR #A7 a g K BY ATTORNEY H. E. CHIPMAN Oct. 18, 1932.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINE s SheetS-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 10. 1929 lNVENTOR flwzk 4.44

TTORNEY L4 5 S S" *PATENT;" OFFICE mm; a. cnrrmm, or sramermnn, m ssacnusn'r'rs, Assrenon 'ro .mmmw LE nor CHIPIAN, or raw YORK, 11. Y.

nmicsmomoivn'ric sounn 'moanm AND nnrnonncme nacrrizm Application flledoctober 10, 1929. Serial No. 398,585.

" This invention relates to machines for recordin and reproducing sounds electro-mag netical y, and more particularly relates to an indicator and associated control devices 5 operative to indicate the passage of any pref determined section of the sound band or wire through the sound recording and reproducing unit, and to control thedriving mechanismaccordingly.

10 In sound recording and reproducing ma chines operating upon the magnetic sound band or wire principle,. it is often-desirable to impress a series of consecutive talks or musicalselections upon the same continuous wire. 4 Before an additional talk or musical selection can be impressed upon an unused portion of the sound wire, it is necessary that some means he provided for indicating the. ending point of the talk or musical number last impressed upon the wire. Again when a particular talk or musical selection is to be reproduced, it; is also necessary that some means be provided to locate the same upon the sound wire. Since the external appear 2 5 ance of the wiregives no indication of the sound characteristics impressed upon the wire, it is necessary that some indicating de vice be provided to locate and determinethe predetermined talk or musical number de sired so that the proper section of sound wire directly in operative relation! may be placed ship with'the sound recording and reproducing unit. to explore the sound wire to discover the particular section desired by running the mag netized sound wire through the recording and reproducing unit, and listening in to deter-.-

mine when the desired section isbeing re produced. When the machine is .used as a 40 dictaphone time is lost by such exploring expeditions, the sound wire is liable" to become damaged by such treatment, and great annoyance, and

trouble generally results. When the sound 5 recording and reproducing machine is tobe used in'theatres 'orother places where the particular-talk or musical number desired we must be reproduced at a momentsnotice, it

is imperative that some reliable means be 59 provided for making this location rapidlyv Heretofore it has been necessary in offices, for example, valuable f and without disturbanceto the audience. No means have heretofore been provided for accurately and quickly locating any particular sectlon of the sound wire having the particular talk or musical number desired impressed thereon. The provision of some means for automatically stoppin the machine when the end of any selected program or musical number is reached is also highly desirable.

An object of my invention is to provide a 60 complete operative sound recording and reproducing machine, having associated therewith an indicating device operative to indicate the passage of any predetermined sec- '3 'tion of the sound band or wire through the sound recording and reproducing unit.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a sound recording and reproducing machine, having an indicator operative to indicate the passage of the beginning and the end of any predetermined section of the sound 'wire through the sound recording and reproducing unit.

, Another object of my invention is to pro vide a sound recording and reproducing machine, having associated therewith. an indicator operative to indicate the passage of any predetermined section of the sound wire 'through the soundrecording and reproduc inglunit, and control devices operative to.con-' "trol the driving. mechanism accordingly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide. an indicator adapted to be operativev 1y connected to'a moving element of a sound recording. and reproducing machine with safety means operative to automatically halt the movement of the machine under certain vconditions. v

"Another object of this invention isto provide a .sound recording and reproducing machine, having an indicator adapted-to locate 'any'predetermined section of the sound wire as it passes through the recording and reproo5 ducing unit, having also associated therewith certain control and safety devicw operative to halt the movement of the machine under certain conditions;the' entire assembly being strong andsturdy in construction, easy to 1 adjust and manipulate, and eflicient and foolproof in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sound recording and reproducing machine having associated therewith a signal device operative to signal the approach of any predetermined section of or point on the sound wire toward the recording and reproducing unit.

Other objects of this invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a pair of reels spaced apart and adapted to pass sound wire from one to the other. The recording and reproducing unit is mounted to reciprocate in a straight line and transverse to the lineal movement of the sound wire, thus assuring that the record wire is placed upon the reels smoothly and in even layers. My indicator attachment comprises generally a fixed indicator plate and a movable indicating element mounted on a threaded screw which is geared to a moving element of the machine. The indicator element moves along the indicator plate when the machine is in operation, and indicates by its position the number of rounds of sound wire which has been removed from the reel and passed through the recording and reproducing unit. lVhen a talk or musical number is to be recorded on the sound wire, the position of the indicator element at the beginning of the recordation is noted and permanent notations made of its position. At the end of the talk or musical number, the position of the indicator element is again noted and recorded. The indicator element moves only when the reels are rotated and in a direction corresponding to the movement of the reels. Since the sound wire is at all times placed smoothly and in even layers on each particular reel, the indicator element will accurately indicate on the indicator plate the particular section of sound wire going through the sound recording and reproducing unit during each and every reeling and unreeling operation. By reference to the notations made when the particular selection desired was impressed upon the sound wire, this selection can be accurately located and reproduced by first driving the machine to the point where the indicator element points to the recorded notation, and then placing the sound recording and reproducing unit in operative engagement with the sound wire.

An adjustable stop device electrically operated is provided for throwing the motor out of operation and thus halting the machine when the end of the particular selection being reproduced has been reached. My adjustable stop device operates to release a solenoid controlled latch element associated with the motor control switch, permitting the motor switch to swing into open position and thus stop the motor. Indicator markings similar to the markings on the indicator plate are associated with the stop device, so that the stop member can be set in the proper position as indicated by the recorded notations. An electrically operated stop device is also provided to halt the operation of the machine at the end of the rewinding operation when the recorded sound wire is rewound upon the discharge reel. A safety stop arrangement is also provided to mechanically retract the latch element associated with the motor control switch should the electrically operated stop devices fail to operate for some reason. The safety stop device is so arranged as to function immediately upon the failure of the electric stop device. The machine is thus preserved against damage under all conditions of operation. A signal light is also provided to indicate the approach of the end of the particular selection being reproduced so that the operator will be warned beforehand and can prepare himself accordingly. The entire machine is assembled into a compact unit and occupies little space.

In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and illustrating certain possible embodiments of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top View of my improved sound recording and reproducing machine, having the indicator and control devices associated therewith, certain hidden parts being shown in dotted lines to illustrate their inter-relation and location;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of my machine showing in particular my indicator and control devices associated therewith;

Figure 3 is a side view of my motor control switch and associated latch, the latch being operatively connected to the control and safety stop devices associated with the indicator, the electric motor and the wiring arrangement therefor being illustrated dia-,

grammatically Figure 4 is a front elevation of my motor control switch;

Figure 5 is an enlarged top view of my indicator and associated motor control and safety stop devices, the view being taken on line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through a portion of my machine illustrating more particularly the screw driven block carrying the indicator finger, the view being taken on line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through another portion of my machine and indicator device, the view being taken on line 77 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view through a portion of my indicat'or device, the view. being taken on line 8-8ofFigure5; v v

Figure 9 is an enlarged'longitudinal crosssectional view showing more particularly the construction of the yielding contact member associated with the safety sto view being taken on line 99 Figure Figure 10 is an enlarged top view of a modified construction'of my indicator and associated motor control and safety devices;

Fi ure 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectiona view of my modified indicator device, taken on line'11-11 of F i re 10; and

Figure 12 is-anenlarge fragmentary side view of a portion of my safety stop device, the view being taken on line 12-12 of Figure 10.

Similar reference characters refer to simi- I lar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

I have shown my indicator andvarious control devices as associated with a sound recording and reproducing machine, and while admirably adapted forthis purpose it will be understood that I do not limit myself to this use alone. For example, my indicator and associated control mechanism could be used in connection with any reeling or unreeling operation where a band of any material is being wound or unwound from a reel. For purposes of have shown my indicator and associated control and safety devices in combination with a sound recording and reproducing machine. The sound recording and reproducing machine is mounted upon a suitable base plate 10 supported by posts 11 resting upon a suitable supporting base 9, as shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 2. Two pairs of supporting brackets 12 are shown secured to the base plate 10. A shaft 13 is journaled in one pair of brackets, and a shaft 14 extending parallel to shaft 13 is journaled in the other pair of brackets. A- reel 15 is mounted on the end of shaft 13 and a reel 16 is mounted on the end of shaft 14. Thesereels are adapted to carry the sound wire between themand when rotated pass the sound wire-from one reel to the other in the well-known manner. The shafts are operatively connectedby means of a belting 17: extending around pul-- ley wheel 18 mounted on shaft14and pulley wheel may be driven'in a conventional manner as by motor M, shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, connected by means of a belting 20-to the pulley wheel-21 fixed to the shaft 14.

A shaft 22 journaled in suitablebrackets H 23 is ositioned at right angles .to the shaft 13. worm gear 24 mounted on shaft 13 meshes with the gear 25 mounted fonjshaft.

22. A small gear 26 on shaft 22 meshes-with a large gear 27 fixed to'a shaft 28,'which may be also journaled in the supporting brackets 23. A gear wheel (29 fixed totheshaft 28 device, the

illustration only, therefore, I

- movement by the guide members 34'.- -"A-d'ustment in position 19 mounted on shaft 13. The shafts ed on the under-side- Of the base nism the shaft 31 is rotated alongwith the shafts 13 and 14 and reels -15and 16.

The recording and reproducin' head32 tion, but is so mounted as to move with a weaving motion transverse to the path of lineal movement ofthe sound wire when passing extends through thebase. late 10, and meshes I with gear wheel 30 secure to shaft- 31-mountlate 10. It is seen that through'thisk train 0 mechaid-f may be" of conventional design an construc-,

from'one reel to the other. To effectuate this movement, I support my recording and re roducing unit 32 upon a slidable plate 33, w ich is supported by fixed guide plates 34 so as to slide in a straight line transverse to the'direction of movement of the wire-when 'passing from one reel to the-other. The plates 34 ma be provided with suitable edge flangles 35 w ich seat in cooperating grooves in sides of the plate 33, thus directing the moves ment of the plate 33.

, Sliding movement is given to the plate 33 by means of acam member 36 fixed to the end of the shaft 31. The cam member36 engages a cam roller 37 rotatably mounted on a slide block 38 guided for reciprocating movement by the uide members 34. 39 connects the slide block 38 to a slide block 40 secured to the slidable plate 33. The slide block 40 is also guided inits reciprocating A rod able nuts 41 are P ovided at each end 0 the connecting rod 39 Eeermitting relative adjusttween the cam roller 37 periphery of the-cam member 36. By means of this arrangement, it isseen that as the cam member 36 revolves, the plate 33 and the soundrecording and reproducing unit 32 supported thereonwill move back and forth in a straight line between and arallel to the axes to cause the sound wire towin on the reels in even, flat and smooth layers. By-the propof reels 13 and 14 at a uni arms eed adapted er adjustment of the nuts 41 the sound 're-v cording and reproducing unit 32 can be posiwire willtlien fall in exactly. the same position on the *reel at each rewinding thereof, and afixed relationship between the revolutions" of-the reels and the lineal travel of the sound wire' 'isthus established.

port the unit upon a post 44 adjustablysecured in a socket member 45 by means of a set Socket member 45 is-mounted tioned-so as to direct the'wire squarely upon 9 the reels; Any particularsectionv ofjsound direct] on the sliding plate 33, and is part thereof:

Means are provided to prevent the reels from overrunning, and the consequent unwinding of the sound wire from one reel faster than it is being wound up on the other, which would result in the sound wire becoming tangled, and also in the destruction of the desired fixed relationship between the rotation' of the reels and the lineal travel of the sound wire through the sound recording and reproducing unit. To this end I provide a friction drag device for each of the shafts 13 and 14. Each drag includes a disc 47 secured to each shaft, and rotatable therewith. A cooperating adjacent disc 48, through which the shaft extends rotatably, is held against rotation but is adapted to be moved toward andaway from its associated rotating disc 47. A spring 49 surrounding the shaft is compressed between the disc 48 and a knurled nut 50, mounted for adjustment on the threaded portion 51 of the shaft. This spring 49 presses the disc 48 against its associated rotating disc 47 in accordance with the adjusted tension of the spring, thus establishing a friction drag effect between the discs 47 and 48, and in opposition to the free rotation in either direction of the shaft and the reel carried thereon. To adjust the force of the drag, it is merely necessary to adjust the nut 50 nearer to or further from the discs. The sound recording and reproducing machine so far described present some improved features over a similar machine disclosed generally in my co-pending application Serial N 0. 164,669 filed January 31, 1927. The indicator and associated motor stop devices, forming particularly the subject matter of this invention, are especially adapted for use with the sound recording and reproducing machine above described, and in some respects operates in combination therewith. It

. will be understood, however, that broadly my indicator and associated stop devices may be used in connection with or attached to other machines operating along similar lines, and I do not limit my invention therefor to a use with sound recording and reproducing machines alone.

My indicator comprises generally an indicator block 52, which may be positioned along the front edge of the base plate 10. The front face of the indicator block 52 may be canted off, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, and a marking plate 53 secured thereto. The marking plate may be provided with suitable markings as will hereinafter be described. An indicating pointer extends through a vertical aperture 54 provided in the indicator block 50 and base plate 10, and is adapted to travel along the marking plate My indicating. finger is mounted upon a block member 67 which is driven by means of a drive screw operatively connected by a train of cured to the top of the indicator I nseam mechanism to the shaft 31 of the machine. More particularly a beveled gear 55 fixed to the end of the shaft 31 meshes with beveled gear 56 fixed to the end of forwardly extending shaft 57 journaled in suitable brackets 58 secured to the under-side of the base plate 10. The forward end of the shaft 57 is provided with a beveled gear 59, which meshes with a beveled gear 60 fixed to one end of a longitudinally extending shaft 61. The longitudinally extending shaft 61 is journaled at one end thereof in a supporting bracket 62 secured to the under-side of the base plate 10, and at its mid-section it is journaled in a bracket 63 secured to the under-side of the base plate 10, and at its other end it is j ournaled in a bracket 64 secured to the under-side of the base plate 10.

Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 5, it will be noted that a section of the shaft 61 extending between the supporting blocks 63 and 64 is enlarged to provide a screw drive portion 66. The indicator block member 67 upon which the indicating finger is mounted is provided with a threaded aperture and is adapted to travel along the screw drive portion 66. The block member 67 and the supporting brackets 63 and 64 are preferably made of some non-conducting material, such as hard rubber. The screw portion 66 may be of such length as to indicate points along any length of sound wire which will be used on the machine.

The indicating pointer comprises generally a base portion 68, an upwardly extending stem portion 69, and an index'head 7 O bent over so as to travel along the beveled side of the indicator block. The pointer is seblock as by screws 71, which extend through the base portion thereof. The indicating pointer, driven as above described, moves along the marker plate 53 as the reels 15 and 16 rotate. The markings on the marker plate beginning at zero may progress from zero toward the right up to any desired number. Consecutive markings on the indicator plate may be so spaced as to correspond to the number of rounds of sound wire on the reel 16. When the reel 16 is fully wound with sound wire, the pointer is at the beginning of its runand directed at the zero point on' the marker plate. When the reel 16 is rotated in a clockwise direction (see Figure 2) so that the sound wire will be progressively advanced through the sound recording and reproducing unit 32, the pointer will move towards the right, as shown in Figure 1, indicating progressively the number of rounds of sound Wire removed from the reel 16. If the reel 16 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction, sound wire will leave reel 15 and be taken up or rewound upon the reel 16, and the pointer would accordingly move towards the left.

A reading of the marker plate at any particular time .will indicate the amount of sound wire then unreeled or unwound from the reel 16. It is close enough if the markings on the indicator plate indicate only the number of rounds of sound wire unwound from the reel 16, since an entire round of sound wire would carry scarcely more than a single vowel (approximately two feet of wire being required to record for example, the vowel a It will be understood,,however, that I contemplate using any type of markings which will best serve the purpose, and I do not limit myself to any particular markings or any particular system of marking.

It is now seen that by merely making a written notation of the position of the pointpleted, the advanced position of the pointer.

noted and recorded. A When at anytime thereer in respect to the indicator plate, when a selection is recorded, the location of the particular section of the sound wire having the selection impressed thereupon can'thereafter be readily determined. The pointer moves whenever the reels carrying the sound wire are rotated. A fixed relationship between the rotation of the reels, the lineal travel of the sound wire through the sound recording and reproducing head, and the movement of the pointer with respect to the indicator plate is at all times assured, because of the smooth-.

ness and exactness with which the sound wire is wound, unwound and. rewound'upon the reels. When'a particular selection to berecorded on the wire, the-position of the pointer with respect to'fthe, marker plate is noted and recorded. When recordation of the selection is comwith. respect to the marker-plate is again after that particular. selection is desired, the reel 16 is rotated in the proper direction until the pointer indicates that the chosen selection has reached the sound recording and reproducing unit 32. The sound recording and.

reproducing unit 32 can then be put into operation and the particular selectionrepro I duced. Likewise thepointermoving along the marker plate sewiu indicate when the end of the selection has been reached.

Means are provided for automatically halting the unwinding operation of the machine when the end of any particular selection has 7 been reached and also to halt the rewindingf operationof the machine when the desired length of sound wire has been rewound upon the reel 16. To this end I provide two substantially similar electrical stop devices, one

. carried by a slide-block 72 movable along the under side of the plate 10 and adjustable to halt the machine and the advancing moveother carried by the supporting bracket 64 and operative to halt the rewinding operatlon ofthe machine. Referringmore particularly to Figures 2, Band 9, the stop device for halting the unwinding operation of the machinecomprises a contact rod 73 supported within a suitable tubular member 7 4. The

propriate opening in the supporting block 64.

As shown in Figure 5, the contact rod 76 is substantially similar to contact rod 73 excepg that it is considerably shorter in length.

desired, the tubular element 77 may be slidably mounted within the aperture therefor provided in block 64 and can be held in any desired adjusted position by a suitable setscrew 78.

Each stop device is provided Wlth a coil spring 79 which surrounds the contact rod positioned within each tubular element. Each coil spring 79 is retained between a collar element 80 fixed to the contact rod and the closed end of the tubular element. A stop portion 81 provided on each contact rodabuts' the end of the tubular member and limits the inward movement of the rod. It is seen that the coil spring normally operates to shoot the electrical contact rod forwardly and to nor-:

mally retain the stop portion 81 seated I a ainst. the end of the tubular member.

member guides the reciprocating movement of the contact rod. The sleeve element 82 and insulated from its tubular member.

' 'A contact pin 83 is provided which extends through the indicator block 67, as shown more particularly in Figures 5 and 6. A lead wire 84 is electrically connected to the contact pin 83, as by contact nuts 85 and 86. A lead wire 87 is also electrically connected to the rear end of the electrical contact rod 73 by means of contact nuts 88 and 89. The lead wires84 and 87 are connected to the latch operating solenoidsof the motor control switch, as will be hereinafter described. If the indicator block is advanced to the right a suflicient distance, the contact portion 90 of the contact pin 83 will eventually :strike the contact end 91 of electrical contact rod .73. When this occurs,

. the solenoid circuit associated with the motor control switch will be closed to retract the switch latch. v

The position of the'contact portion 91 of the contact rod 73 with respect to the contact portion 90 ofthe pin .83 will determine when the machine will be halted. To facilitate thesetting of the contact rod at the proper point, I provide a marker plate 92, shown more A I sleeve element 82 fixed within the tubular clearly in Figure 1, having a series of markings or graduations similar to the markings or graduations on the marker plate 53. The marker plate 92 is positioned on the base plate 10 and is provided with an elongated aperture 93 cut through it and the base plate 10. The slide-block 72, as heretofore stated, is mounted to slide along the under-side of the base plate 10. The slide-block is supported in position by a set screw 94 which extends through the slot 93 cut in the marker plate and base late 10, and screws into the body of the slidelock.

It is now seen that the slide-block 72 can be moved along the base plate carrying the tubular member 74 with it. To prevent the slide block from turning, a pair of guide pins 95 may be provided which arese'cnred to the slide block and project upwardly into the elongated slot cut into the base plate 10. By sliding the tubular member 74 through the block 63 the proper distance as indicated by the markings on the marker plate 92, the contact portion 91 of the contact rod can be so positioned as to stop the machine at any desired point. The mark ings on the marker plate 92 should preferably run from zero and from the left to the right, or in the opposite direction from the markings on the marker plate 53. By setting the slide block by means of the set screw 94 at the desired stop notation,

the contact point 90 carried by the indicator block will make an electrical contact with the contact point 91 to stop the motor M when/the end of the selection has been reached. Thus it is seen that the machine can be stopped at any predetermined point desired.

A lead wire 96 is electrically connected to the contact rod 76 by contact nuts 97 and 98. The lead wire 96 is connected to the latch operating solenoids of themotor control switch, hereafter to be described. By setting the tubular member 77 the contact portion 99 of the contact rod can be placed .in such relation to the contact portion 100 of the contact pin 83 as to stop the rewinding operation at any point desired. When the contact portion 99 of the contact rod strikes the contact portion 100 of the contact pin the solenoid circuit associated with the motor control switch will be closed to retract the switch latch. If complete rewinding of the reel 16 is to be permitted the tubular member maybe set in the position shown in Figure 5. Suitable markings may be provided on the tubular member 77 to facilitate the setting of the contact portion 99 in the desired stop position.

I have shown for purposes of illustration in Figures 3 and 4 a multi-throw switch especially adapted for use in connection with my sound recording and reproducing machine and indicator arrangement. The particular switch shown in Figures 3 and 4 has been embodied in my co-pending application Serial No. 274,774 filed May 3, 1928, however, and therefore forms no part of this invention except where the same operates in direct combination with my indicator and stop devices. The switch herein shown comprises generally a stationary contact block 109 provided with one row of contact terminals, comprising terminals (a), (b), ('0), and (d), and another row of contact terminals comprising terminals (6), (f), (g), and (h). A swinging terminal block 110 supported by suitable standards 111 and 112 carries at the lower edge thereof contact terminals (a'), (b), (0), and ((Z). A spring member 113 positioned at each side of the movable contact block operates to normally retain the same in vertical position, and out of contact with the terminals in the stationary block 109. A pair of arms 114 is secured to one end of the hinged terminal block 111, one projecting laterally from each side thereof. Each of these arms is adapted to be engaged by a manually operated spring pressed plunger 115 adapted to swing the movable contact block into such a position that the contact terminals (a), (b), (c), and (d) thereof will electrically contact with one of the sets of terminals carried by the stationary block 109.

Means are provided for latching the movable block 110 in the electrical contact position to which it has been swung. This latching means may comprise magnetic solenoid coils 116 and armature 117, which carries a pin 118 slidably supported in a U-shaped bracket 119. A coil spring 120 surrounds the pin 118 and is compressed between the armature 117 and the rear arm of bracket 119, thus yieldably holding the armature forward. The end of the pin 118 projects through the forward arm of the U-shaped bracket 119 and is adapted, under the action of coil spring 120, to latch against either side of a lug 121 which is secured to the rear end of the swinging block 110.

The movement given to the swinging block 110 by a manual manipulation of the plungers 115 will move the lug 121 sufficiently to cause latch pin 118 to engage against one side or the other thereof, holding the corresponding sets of terminals in contact and preventing a return movement of the swinging block to neutral non-contact position until the latch pin has been retracted, as by energization of the solenoids 116. The arrangement of the plungers 115 and projecting arms 114 is such that one will-not interfere with the proper operation of the other.

The circuits and the operation of the switch will now be described. When the block 110 is'in normal position, held so by the spring elements 113, none of the terminals carried thereby contacts any of the terminals on the be as follows. From one terminal 122 of a suitable source of supply, current will flow through conductor 123 and terminal (a). From terminal (a) current will flow across to terminal (a); thence through conductor 124to one pole 125 of the motor armature; and thence from the other pole 126 of the motor armature through conductor 127 to the opposite terminal 128 of the source of st: ply. Meanwhile, current will also flow from pole 125 of the motor through conductor 129 to terminal (0), across to terminal (a), through conductor 130 to the field terminal 131 of the motor. After passing through the motor, the current flows from the field terminal 132 through conductor 133 to 1 terminal (b), across to terminal (b), and thence through conductors 134 and 127 to the opposite terminal 128 of the source of supply.

, Assuming that in this adjustment of the switch, the motor drivesreel 16 clockwise, the

i sound wire will then be advanced through the 7 recording and reproducing unit 32 and the indicator will move towards the right (Figure 2) until electrical contact ismade between contact portions 90 and 91. Thesolenoids 116 will thenbe'automatically energized and v the pin 118 will be retracted to permit block tact with terminals (6), (f), (g) and (k),

' circuit.

110' to swing back into normal non-contact position, in accordance with the following Relay operating current will flow from one terminal 135 of a suitable source of low voltage current, as a battery 136, through conductor 84, tocontact point 90, thence to contact point 91, through conductor 87to terminal (d), across to terminal ((5'), and through conductor 137 to the solenoids 116. From solenoids 116, the current flows through conductor 138 to the opposite terminal'139of the battery-136. It is, therefore,- seen that, as soon as the sound wire has been advanced to the desired stop setting, terminal points 90 and 91 are brought into contact and the solenoids 116will be energizedtoretract latch pin 118, permitting block 110 to swing into non-contact position to stop the motor.

To retract the sound wire and to rewind the same upon the reel 16, it is first necessary to stop the motor if it is rotating. The opposite plunger 115 is then depressed to sweep terminals (a') (b), (0), and ((1') into con- In this event, the latch pin 118-will engage againstthe opposite side ofthe. lug 121. I In this adjustment of the switch,the armature circuit for the motor will be as follows. From terminal 122 of a suitable power source, through conductor 123, through terminal (a), across to terminal (e), through conductor 140 to terminal (a) through conductor 124, and thence, as before, through the irrsnature of the motor to the supply terminal The motor field circuit will then be reversed to reverse the direction of motor rotation, and will be as follows. From conductors 124 and 129 to terminal (0' across to terminal (-9), across through conductor 141 to terminal (6) and thence through conductor 133 to thefield terminal 132. From the opposite field terminal 131, the current flows through conductor 130 to terminal (0) thence across through conductor 142 to terminal (f) across to terminal (6'), through conductors ((Z) through conductor 137 to the solenoids 116, from whence the current passes through conductor 138 to the opposite pole of the battery.

Manual means are provided to permit the operator to stop the motor at any time. manually operative switch 143 is connected in circuitwith the battery 136 and the solenoids 117, so that when the switch 143 is closed the relay is energized to retract pin 96 and 97 to terminal (72.), across to terminal 118, as heretofore described. Current then flows from terminal 135 of battery 136, through. conductors 84 and 144, through the switch 143, through conductor 145, to the solenoids 116, and thence through conductor 138 to the opposite terminal of the battery.

Should the electrical stop mechanism fail to operate for some reason, it is seen that the motor would continue to rotate the sound wire reels 15 and 16 and also move the indicator block 67 along the drive screw 66 to the possible injury of the same. To take care of such an emergency, I provide safety means operative to mechanically retract the latch bolt 118 which normally retains the motor switch in closed circuit position.

'To mechanically stop the machine should the electrical stop mechanism fail to operate, I provide a shimmey bar 146 of rectangular cross-section, which is slidably supported at ing-j'block 63 511N104, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. A pair of abutment blocks 149 and 150 are slidably mounted on the shimmey bar 146 and each is provided with an adjustment screw 151 by means of which the respective abutment blocks can be fixed to the shimmey bar at any point therealong. A plate 152, secured to the top side of each arm 147 and 148 as by screws 153, removably retains the shimmey bar 146 slidably positioned within the notches provided in the arms 147 and 148.

The indicator block 67 is provided with an abutment pin 154 projecting from the rear side thereof. Now it is seen that when the sound wire from reel 16 is advancing off the reel, the pin 154 carried by the indicator block will eventually strike the abutment block 149 and move the shimmey bar 146 to the right, as shown in Figure 5. During the rewinding of the reel 16, on the other hand, the indicator block 67 and associated pin 154 will move toward the left and the pin will eventually strike the abutment block 150, moving the shimmey bar 146 toward the left. This right or left movement of the shimmey bar 146 may be regulated so as to take place at any point during the unwinding or rewinding movement of the reels by merely fixing the respective abutment blocks 149 and 150 in the proper position along the shimmey-bar 146.

Means are provided for transmitting this right and left movement of the shimmey-bar 146 to mechanically retract the latch bolt 118 out of engagement with the In 121 to permit the hinged section 110 of the switch to swing to noncontact position. To this end I cut a V-shaped cam slot having cam surfaces 155 and 156 in the under side of the shimmey-bar 146. A bell crank lever pivotally secured to a bracket 157 fixed to the under side of the base plate 10 is provided with a pinshaped arm 158 which is adapted to seat' within the V-shaped slot, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 8. The other arm 159 of the rocker lever extends downwardly and may be provided with a forked portion 160 pivotally secured by means of studs 161 to the circular armature plate 117, as shown more clearly in Figure 4. Now it is seen that when the abutment pin 154 carried by the indicator block strikes the abutment block 149 so as to move the shimmey-bar 146 toward the right, cam portion 155 of the V- shaped slot will ride over the end of pinshaped arm 158, depressing the same and rocking the bell crank lever in such a manner as to retract the latch bolt 118 out of engagement with lug 121. The hinged block 110 of the switch will then swing, under the influence of springs 113, out of engagement with the terminals of the stationary block 109, and the motor circuit will thus be broken, halting the operation of the motor.

Similarly, when the shimmey bar 146 is moved toward the left by the travel of the indicator block 67 as above described, the

cam portion 156 of the V-shaped block will slide over the end of the pin-shaped arm 158 to rock the bell crank lever and withdraw the latch 118 out of engagement with lug 121 of the switch. The hinged block 110 will then swing into neutral non-contact posltion and the motor will be stopped as before. As soon as the pressure of abutment pin 154 carried by the indicator block is removed from the abutment block 149 or 150, the shimmey bar 146 is returned into neutral position with the pin-shaped arm 158 seated within the V-shaped slot as before. This restoration of the shimmey-bar is automatically accomplished by a pair of spring fingers 162, one secured as by screws 163 to each of the stationary supporting blocks 63 and 64, which press against the ends of'the shimmeybar. Whennthe shimmey-bar 146 is iii neutral position, the motor M is free to be started without interference from the bell crank lever.

To facilitate the setting of the abutment blocks 149 and 150, the shimmey bar 146 may be provided with a series of graduated markings, as clearly shown in Figure 5. For the unwinding operation of the sound Wire from reel 16, the abutment block 149 should be so set on the shimmey bar 146 that contact portion90 of the contact pin 83 is given an opportunity to. fully engage contact portion 91, and depress the same slightly against the action of coil spring 7 9 before the safety stop arrangement will come into play and before the pin 154 carried by the indicator block will engage the abutment block 149. For the rewinding operation of the sound wire upon reel 16, the abutment block 150 should be so positioned on the shimmey bar that contact portion 101 of contact pin 83 will be given full opportunity to close the solenoid circuit and retract the switch latch bolt 118 electrically before pin 154 engages the abutment block. Thus, only when the electrical stop device fails to function will the unwinding or rewinding operation be halted mechanically. It is now seen that 'I have provided for all possible emergencies of operation, so that if the stop devices should fail to operate or the machine be negligently attended to, the machine will in no case be harmed.

I have shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 a slightly modified construction of my mechanically operated switch throw device. In this modification the abutment block 149 is operatively connected to the slide block 72 so as to move along therewith and thus automatically accomplish the proper setting of the abutment block 149 when the slide block set screw 94 is fixed along the marker plate. To this end I provide a rod 164 which is secured at one end thereof to an arm portion 165 projecting from the slide block 72. The

rod 164 slides through an aperture provided in the arm portion 147 of supporting block 63 and also through an aperture provided in the abutment block 149. rod 164 is threaded and is provided with an adjustment nut 166. The abutment block 149 is resiliently retained against the nut 166 by means of an expansion spring 167 surrounding, the rod and retained between the abutment block and collar 1 68 fixed to the rod. It is now seen that by a single mani ulation of the nut 166 the abutment bloc 149 can be adjusted along the rod 164 as desired. 0

In this modification the ad ustment screw 151 for fixing the abutment block 149 to the shimmey rod 146 is eliminated and a dog member 169 is substituted, which is adapted to engage ratchet-teeth 170 provided along the top edge of the shimmey rod The dog member hinged to the block 149 is normally held in engagement with the ratchet teeth by spring element 171 fixed to the top of the block 149 and resiliently pressing agalnst the dog member. When the slide block 72 is moved toward the right, as shown in Flgure 10, the dog member 169 idles over the ratchet teeth and engages the tooth 'where it comes to rest. When the pin 154 engages the block-149 the shimmey rod 146 is carried to the right as before. A handle 171 may be providedto lift the dog member out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. By means of this arrangement, the proper setting of the abutment block 149 so as to mechanically throw the switch at the proper moment is always assured. Furthermore only one setting operation is necessary, i. e., the setting of the slide block set screw 94. The amount of depression the'contact portion 91 of the contact pin shall undergo before the mechanical switch throw device comes into play can be regulated as desired by merely manipulating the adjustment nut 166 and thus fix the position of the abutment block 149 in reference to the contact portion 91.

In reproducing any particular selectlon from the sound wire it may often be desirable that the operator be forewarned when the end of that selection being reproduced is about to be reached, so that he can prepare himself for the event. To this end, I provide an electric light 172 placed in a convenient position on the base plate 10, and which is so connected in electr1c circuit that it will light up at a predetermined interval, of say one minute, before the end of the selection being reproduced is reached. The electric light 172 is electrically connected by means of a wire 173 to a resilient contact member 174 fixed at one end thereof to the slide block 7 2. The forward end of member 174 is bent into spoon-shaped form, as shown at 175, Figure 6. The spoon-shaped end of the contact member 173 is adapted to ride over the end of spring member 17 6 and move The end of the' therealong in electrical contact therewith. The spring member 176 is secured as by screw 177 to the indicator block 67. A wire 178 electrlcally connects the spring member 176. to the main wire 84 which is in turn connected to the terminal 135 of battery 136, as shown in Figure 3.

As heretofore described, wire 138 connects the battery 136 to the solenoids 116 WhlCh are in turn connected by wire 137 to contact (2' of the hinged block of the switch. When the sound wire is being unwound from reel 16 at the same time advancing the indicator block 67 toward the right, the contact 03' w1ll be in electrical contact with contact h. Wires 97 and 179 complete the electric circuit between the contact In and the lamp 172.

Now it is seen that the lamp 172 will be light ed when, and only when, the circuit is closed by both resilient contact members 174 and 17 and also by contacts d and h of the switch. By means of this circuit arrangement, as soon as the switch block 110 is swung to neutral position and the motor circuit broken, the lamp circuit will also be broken and the lamp will go out and themotor will stop at the same time. Only while the motor switch 1s closed and while the indicator block 67 1s travel1ng through the distance interval provlded will the lamp remain lighted.

Since the resilient contact member 174 is secured to the slide block 72, the same is ad uSted in position with the adjustment of the slide block 72 and contact member 83.

It is now seen that I have provided an indicator and associated stop devices which are admirably adapted for use in connection with sound recording and reproducing machines. A complete and fully operative machine has been described and illustrated to more particularly bring out the operation of my indicator and stop devices, and to bring out clearly how they cooperate when assembled into the entire machine combination. The indicator, operating in combination with the mech anism for winding, unwinding and rewinding the reels, accurately indicates the location of any desired talk or musical selection. The various devices so operate that the relationship between the lineal movement of the sound wire through the sound recording and reproducing unit and the movement of the indicator is always maintained no matter how many times the reels are unwound and rewound. By making a simple notation when the record is made, the beginning and end of any particular selection recorded on the sound wire can, with my device, be very accurately determined. The machine can be set to reproduce any desired selection without delay, annoyance or, disturbance. The entire assembly is strong anddurable. The various stop devices makes the machine practically foolproof, and the machine is thus at all times off the driving means.

preserved against possible self destruction durin operation.

Ta vention are well known, as well as, are circuits for recording and reproducing sounds on magnetizable wire of the character referred to herein, and accordingly it is not believed to be necessary to describe any specific talking head construction or any specific recording or reproducing circuit to such head, this invention not being directed to these specific features.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and as many appgrently widely different embodiments coul made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, of control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a drive screw driven by said driving means in synchronism with the reel and having a traveler, a member adjustable axially relatively to said drive screw, means associated with said member, traveler and driving means adapted to shut oif the driving means when the traveler reaches a lace on its drive screw determined by the ad usted position of said member relative to the drive screw, and means, including a fixed dial and a coacting pointer movable with said member, for indicating the adjustment of said member relative to the drive screw.

2. In an apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, of control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a control switch, a control member therefor adapted upon predetermined movement to open said switch to shut off said driving means, a drive screw driven by said driving means in synchronism with the reel and having a traveler, and a stop on the control mem ber adapted to be engaged by the traveler when the traveler reaches a predetermined place on its drive screw to move the control member to open the control switch and shut 3. In an apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, of control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a control switch, a control member therefor adapted upon predetermined movement to open said switch to shut off said driving means, a drive screw driven by said driving means in synchronism with the reel and having a traveler, and a stop mounted for ad- I justment on the control member and adapted to be engaged by the traveler to move the control member to open the control switch and shut off the driving means when the traveler reaches a place on its drive screw deterlhing heads for the purpose of this inmined by the adjusted on the control member.

4. In an apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, of control means for said drivin means, including, in combination a contro switch, a control rod associated with said driving means and adapted upon redetermined movement to open said switc to shut ofi said driving means, a drive screw. parallel with said rod and driven by said driving means in s nchronism with the reel and havin a trave er, and a sto on the control rod a apted to be engaged y said traveler to move said rod to open the control switch and shut off the drivin means, said stop being adjustable along sai rod whereby the stop engaging position of the traveler on the drive screw may be varied.

- 5. In an apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, of control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a control switch, a control rod associated with said driving means and adapted upon predetermined movement toopen said switch to shut off said driving means, a drive screw parallel with said rod and driven by said r1v1ng means in-s nchronism with the reel position of the stopv and havin a trave er, and a sto on the constop being adjustable along said rod whereby the stop engaging position of the traveler on the drive screw may be varied, said control rod having means for indicating the adjusted position of the stop thereon.

6. In an apparatus havin a reel and driving means therefor, of e ectro-mechanical control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a drive'screw driven by said driving means in synchronism with the reel and having a traveler, a control member adapted to be engaged by said traveler when the traveler reaches a predetermined place on its screw, to actuate said control means electrically to shut off the drivin means, and a control member adapted to e en aged by said traveler when the traveler reac es a pre determined place on its drive screw, to actuate said control means mechanically to shut off the driving means.

7 In an ap aratus having a reel and driving means t erefor, of e ectro-mechanical control means for said driving means, including, in combination, a drive screw driven by said driving means in synchronism with the reel and having a traveler, a control member adapted to be engaged by said traveler when the traveler reaches a predetermined place on its screw, to actuate said control means electrically to shut off the drivin" means, and a control member adapted to be en aged by said traveler when the traveler reac es a predetermined place on its drive screw, to actuate said control means mechanically to shut OK the driving) means, said control members being adjusta le axially relatively to said drive screw, whereby the control member engaging places of said traveler on its drive screw may be varied.

8. An apparatus having a reel and driving means therefor, and including, in combination, a dial, a drive screw driven by said driving means and havin a traveler provided with a pointer for sai dial, a control member adjustable axially relatively to said drive screw and adapted to be engaged by said traveler to shut ofi the driving means, and a dial for said control member, said control member having a pointer movable over said dial, and said dials having related markings.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for lineally advancing a strip of band material, and means operative to indicate the beginnin and to indicate the end of any predetermine section of said band material as they respectively pass a predetermined point, said indicating means including an indicator plate having markings thereon, a drive screw, an

indicating element mounted on said drive 1 screw and movable along said plate, and means for rotating said drive screw to advance said indicating element along said plate in 'synchronism with the advancing movement of said band material. a

10. In an ap aratus of the character described in com ination, means for lineally advancing a strip of sound wire, means operative to indicate the beginning and to indicate the end of any desired sound selection impressed upon a portion of said wire as they respectively pass a predetermined point, means for automatically throwing said advancing means out of operation when the end of said section passes by said predetermined point, and means automatically operative to signal the approach of the end of said selection at a predetermined time interval prior to the arrival of said end at the predetermined oint.

11. an' ap aratus of the character described, in com ination, means for lineally advancing a strip of sound wire, means operative to indicate the beginning and to indicate the end of any desired sound selection impressed upon a portion of said wire as they respectively pass a predetermined point, means for automatically throwing said advancing means out of operation when the end of said section passes by said predetermined point, and electrical means associated with'said indicating element automatically 0 rative to signal the approach of the end 0 said section at a predetermined time interval prior to the arrivalof said end at the predetermined point.

This specification signed this 4th day of October, 1929.

HARRY CHIPMAN. 

